Cloves (laung) are a must-have in Indian kitchens. They find their way into everything, from sabzis and dals to even desserts. These tiny black pods pack a punch with their warm, spicy flavour and an aroma that takes dishes to the next level. While some find their taste a bit too strong, others can’t get enough of them. Are you someone who loves adding cloves to your meals? If yes, here’s something cool for you. Ayurvedic health coach Dr Dimple Jangda explains what happens when you eat one clove every day. Intrigued? Let’s find out! Also Read: How Adding Cloves To Your Diet Can Keep Hands And Feet Warm All Winter Long
Photo Credit: iStock
Here Are The Top Benefits Of Eating A Clove Daily:
1. Enhances Immune Function
Cloves possess antibacterial properties, making them excellent for strengthening immunity. According to Dr Jangda, these properties help combat common issues like colds, coughs, and the flu. Adding one clove daily to your routine could help your body fight infections more effectively.
2. Supports Blood Sugar Management
For those with diabetes or prediabetes, cloves can be beneficial. A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed that cloves possess anti-diabetic properties and may help in the control of hyperleptinaemia in type 2 diabetes.
3. Promotes Oral Health
Cloves are often found in oral care products due to their effectiveness in improving dental health. Dr Jangda highlights their analgesic properties, which can alleviate toothaches and fight bacteria in the mouth. According to the NIH, clove-oil-treated teeth showed decreased decalcification with respect to control.
4. Packed with Antioxidants
Dr Jangda also notes that cloves are rich in antioxidants, which protect the body from cell damage caused by free radicals. This can lower oxidative stress, reducing the risk of diseases and cellular damage.
5. Boosts Digestive Health
Struggling with digestion? Adding cloves to your diet could help. Dr Jangda mentions that certain nutrients in cloves aid digestion by breaking down food and preventing bloating, gas and constipation.
Watch the full video here:
How Many Cloves Should You Eat In A Day?
Dr Jangda recommends starting with one clove daily to improve your health. Once you develop a taste for it, you can increase the intake to 3-4 cloves daily. However, avoid consuming more, as it could cause side effects like diarrhoea, slow blood clotting, or nausea.
How To Add Cloves To Your Daily Diet
1. Add To Herbal Teas
Crush a few cloves and add them to your herbal tea. This will enhance its flavour while providing health benefits.
2. Use In Cooking
Add cloves into your meals to savoury dishes, desserts, or spice blends. Whole or ground cloves work well, even in a simple tadka.
3. Prepare Clove-Infused Water
For a quick option, make clove-infused water. Simmer 2-3 cloves in water for a few minutes and enjoy a health-boosting drink. Also Read: Wonderful Benefits Of Winter Spices: Turmeric, Cinnamon Cloves And More
Cloves have numerous benefits for overall health. However, Dr Jangda advises caution as cloves have vata and kapha doshas, which increase pitta (digestive fire). If you’re prone to acid reflux or a burning sensation, it’s best to avoid them.
For many of us, mornings feel incomplete without a warm, comforting cup of tea. It’s soothing, delicious, and often a ritual we hold dear. However, the caffeine in tea has raised several concerns about its impact on health and dependency, which leads many people to avoid it altogether. While an excess of anything can be harmful, what about that single cup of tea many of us have every day? Could one cup ruin your health? If you have this and other questions in mind, read on to hear what the experts have to say on the matter.
Also Read: Sipping The Winter Goodness: 5 Top Spices To Add To Your Chai To Boost Immunity
How Much Tea Is Safe To Drink?
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), both tea and coffee are packed with caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system and leads to dependency. The recommended limit is 300 milligrams per day. A 150 ml cup of tea contains around 30-65 mg of caffeine. Experts suggest not drinking more than two cups of tea daily.
Is One Cup of Tea Really That Harmful?
Absolutely not! Drinking one cup of tea a day won’t ruin your health at all. However, what’s harmful is the snacks and munchies you pair it with. Most of us pair our tea with snacks like biscuits, toast, and pakoras for a very simple reason: the calories in the snacks! As nutritionist Deepsikha Jain explains, if you eat 4-5 biscuits with your tea, it instantly adds to your calorie count for the day. Most snacks easily contain 300-400 calories. According to the expert, one cup of tea, when paired with snacks, can lead to:
Blood sugar rise
Diabetes
Weight gain
So, one cup of tea is fine to consume, as long as you are having it mindfully.
What Are the Worst Times to Consume Tea?
Now that you know one cup of tea won’t affect your health, let’s find out when you should avoid having it to make the most of it. Ayurvedic expert Dr Dixa Bhavsar Savaliya shared three times to avoid having tea:
1. First Thing in the Morning
While most of us like to start our morning with a nice cup of tea, the expert advises against this. Consuming caffeine on an empty stomach can interfere with cortisol production in your body and leave you feeling anxious and off-balance before the day even begins.
2. With Meals
Pairing your tea with meals or snacks can disrupt your digestion. Tea is acidic in nature and contains tannins that interfere with iron absorption if consumed right after a meal. To make the most of tea, avoid drinking it an hour before or after eating.
3. After 4:00 pm
Having your evening tea after 4:00 pm can impact your overall health. The expert suggests avoiding tea at least 10 hours before bedtime to enhance sleep quality, support liver detoxification, reduce cortisol levels, and promote better digestion.
Also Read: Make Tandoori Chai At Home In Just 3 Easy Steps
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
While non-league games continue to make the rounds and all schools finally played a league opener, some of the better teams in the area are just now starting to separate themselves from the pack.
In a few leagues, the big head-to-head games are either coming this week or even the final regular season contest. In other words, there’s plenty of shuffling to come, plenty of meaningful games ahead for all local high school football fans to enjoy. Week 8 of the high school season did give some teams the chance to flex their muscles at this stage of the season.
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George Baldock, the Greece international soccer player who was found dead at his home in Athens on Wednesday, drowned while swimming in his pool, his family said.
Greek police said this week there was no initial indication the death of the 31-year-old former Premier League player was suspicious.
“We are heartbroken with the sudden passing of our beloved George. We can confirm that a post-mortem examination has found that George tragically drowned whilst swimming in the pool at his home in Glyfada, Athens,” Baldock’s family said in a statement issued to The Associated Press.
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The family said the Panathinaikos defender, who was born in Britain, had been due to return to the U.K. to celebrate his baby son’s first birthday.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 22: George Baldock of Sheffield United running during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sheffield United at Villa Park on December 22, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** George Baldock Getty
“George, you were the most special father, fiance, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person.
“Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those that were fortunate enough to know you and those that adored you from the stands,” the family said.
“We will forever cherish the special memories we have of you and you will continue to live on in your beautiful son.”
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 10: Tributes are laid for ex-Sheffield United player George Baldock on October 10, 2024 in Sheffield, England. The England-born Greece international was found dead in the swimming pool of his house in Glyfada, southern Athens. Baldock was currently playing for Greek club Panathinaikos. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) Getty
Baldock was of Greek heritage and played 12 matches for the national team.
He joined Sheffield United in 2017 and helped the club earn promotion to the Premier League twice, in 2019 and 2023. He joined Panathinaikos in May, on a three-year contract, after Sheffield United was relegated to England’s second division.
“As a family it has been incredibly touching, but equally so very difficult to read the huge number of tributes written by those that knew George and from those whose life he touched. It was impossible not to love him,” his family said. “We ask that you please continue to respect our privacy at this devastating time as we begin to process our grief.”
There was a period of silence in tribute to the right back ahead of Thursday’s game in the Nations League between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium. Greece won 2-1.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s song Levii’s Jeans came full circle as she starred in her first commercial for the 171-year-old denim brand set to the Cowboy Carter track.
In the 30-second advert – titled ‘Chapter 1: Launderette’ – the 43-year-old pop diva headed inside a laundry mat while carrying a bucket of what appeared to be diamonds.
Beyoncé then stripped off a $98 pair of Levi’s Premium ‘501 90S Women’s Jeans’ to reveal her white Levi’s panties underneath.
A set of pre-teen twin girls could be seen in the background as Knowles-Carter showcased her 5ft6in figure in the snug boy-shorts and $29.50 Levi’s ‘Essential Sporty T-shirt.’
The 32-time Grammy winner then grabbed her empty bucket and headed to the chairs where she took a seat to patiently wait for her ‘laundry’ to finish.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s song Levii’s Jeans came full circle as she starred in her first commercial for the 171-year-old denim brand set to the Cowboy Carter track
Melina Matsoukas directed the spot for Beyoncé’s Reimagine campaign, which was a direct remake of the company’s 1985 ad in which a male model throws rocks into a laundry machine in order to ‘stonewash’ his Levi’s.
‘My song Levii’s Jeans celebrates what I believe is the ultimate Americana uniform — something we all wear with pride,’ Knowles-Carter said in the press release.
‘I am honored to work with Levi’s to create quintessential American iconography. Denim on denim has often been seen through a male lens, so this reimagining campaign, which celebrates the iconic female perspective, is important to me. I look forward to exploring innovative ways for our visions to align in empowering women and honoring their strength.’
Levi Strauss & Co. reported a 20% boost on their stock price, a 20% rise in footfall at US stores, and $1.2M in additional revenue following the Texan singer name-dropping them in her country song.
‘The Levi’s brand has and always will be the unofficial uniform for those moving forward in the pursuit of better,’ Levi’s global CMO Kenny Mitchell said in the press release.
‘We believe a key part of that is continuously breaking and building the codes of culture. In collaboration with Beyoncé, we explore the power of reimagination through this campaign, helping us to connect with our fans in new ways and supporting the growth of our women’s business as the definitive denim lifestyle brand.’
Last Thursday, Beyoncé lost all 12 trophies she was nominated for her eighth studio album at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, hosted by Shania Twain, which aired on NBC/Peacock.
This, after Knowles-Carter shockingly received zero nominations at the 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards, which will air November 20 on ABC/Hulu.
In the 30-second advert – titled ‘Chapter 1: Launderette’ – the 43-year-old pop diva headed inside a laundry mat while carrying a bucket of what appeared to be diamonds
Beyoncé then stripped off a $98 pair of Levi’s Premium ‘501 90S Women’s Jeans’ to reveal her white Levi’s panties underneath
A set of pre-teen twin girls could be seen in the background as Knowles-Carter showcased her 5ft6in figure in the snug boy-shorts and $29.50 Levi’s ‘Essential Sporty T-shirt’
The 32-time Grammy winner then grabbed her empty bucket and headed to the chairs where she took a seat to patiently wait for her ‘laundry’ to finish
Melina Matsoukas directed the spot for Beyoncé’s Reimagine campaign, which was a direct remake of the company’s 1985 ad in which a male model throws rocks into a laundry machine in order to ‘stonewash’ his Levi’s
Knowles-Carter said in the press release: ‘My song Levii’s Jeans celebrates what I believe is the ultimate Americana uniform — something we all wear with pride. I am honored to work with Levi’s to create quintessential American iconography’
The Texan singer added: ‘Denim on denim has often been seen through a male lens, so this reimagining campaign, which celebrates the iconic female perspective, is important to me. I look forward to exploring innovative ways for our visions to align in empowering women and honoring their strength’
Levi Strauss & Co. reported a 20% boost on their stock price, a 20% rise in footfall at US stores, and $1.2M in additional revenue following Beyoncé name-dropping them in her country song
Last Thursday, Knowles-Carter lost all 12 trophies she was nominated for her eighth studio album at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, hosted by Shania Twain (L), which aired on NBC/Peacock
This, after Queen Bey shockingly received zero nominations at the 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards, which will air November 20 on ABC/Hulu
And while country music industry elites went out of their way to snub her, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter became her eighth consecutive No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and the first album by a black woman to top the Top Country Albums chart
Knowles-Carter’s first foray into the genre also scored her No. 1 records in the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands
And while country music industry elites went out of their way to snub her, Queen Bey’s Cowboy Carter became her eighth consecutive No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and the first album by a black woman to top the Top Country Albums chart.
Beyoncé’s first foray into the genre also scored her No. 1 records in the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
On Saturday, Knowles-Carter – who gets 54.4M monthly listeners on Spotify – glammed up in a plunging gold Gucci gown in a commercial for the joint venture of Moët Hennessy and her whisky brand SirDavis.
The glitzy advert – which also featured the Oscar-nominated songwriter’s husband Jay-Z – was filmed during the real-life launch party held at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris last Monday.
Beyoncé and the 54-year-old Roc Nation founder (born Shawn Carter) are proud parents of 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter and seven-year-old fraternal twins – son Sir Carter and daughter Rumi Carter.
When you go to a restaurant or buy food from a store, you assume it’s safe to eat, right? But if the people handling your food aren’t following proper hygiene practices, you could end up with a nasty case of food poisoning. On Friday, September 13, food safety officials conducted raids and inspections at several eateries in the Vidyanagar area of Secunderabad and found multiple food safety violations. The inspections, carried out by the Task Force teams of Telangana’s Commissioner of Food Safety, revealed alarming lapses in food safety and handling practices at several eateries, including Emerald Mithai Shop, Subway, Rollzone and Good Fresh – The Pizza House, in Hyderabad.
— Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana (@cfs_telangana) September 14, 2024
At Emerald Mithai Shop, inspectors found no pest control and medical fitness certificates. Plus, no FOSTAC-trained personnel were present, and the wood-pressed oil manufacturing area door was left outside without insect-proof screens. The shop also had unlabelled sweets and savouries on display and open dustbins without lids were seen. Some items sold at the shop did not have FSSAI certificates, and food handlers were not wearing gloves or aprons.
Subway was also found to be violating hygiene norms. Semi-prepared ingredients and ready-to-cook food items were not properly labelled, and use-by dates were missing. The gap between storage racks and walls was not maintained, leading to pest infection risks. Moreover, the fast-food chain outlet did not have a FOSTAC-trained supervisor.
Similar violations were found at Rollzone and Good Fresh – The Pizza House. Rollzone did not display its FSSAI licence, and food items stored in the refrigerator lacked labels. Food handlers were also not wearing necessary protective gear such as head caps, aprons, or gloves. At Good Fresh, the FSSAI registration copy was not displayed on the premises, and medical fitness and pest control records were missing.
Earlier, the FSSAI shared some food safety tips to follow during the monsoon season:
Wash all food products purchased from the market properly before cooking.
Keep yourself and your surroundings clean, and wash your hands with soap and water before cooking and eating.
Use only clean water for cooking.
Eat freshly cooked food and cook only as much as you need.
Refrigerate leftover food as soon as it cools down to avoid microbial growth.
Heat leftover food properly before consuming it.
Keep perishables like milk and curd in the refrigerator immediately.
Use fresh and local food products.
Include immunity-boosting ingredients like pepper, garlic, ginger, cumin seeds, coriander, and turmeric in your diet. Read more here.
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Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will race at the Diamond League final on Friday. Well, sort of. Arguably the best athlete in the world, the 400m hurdles world record holder, will compete in Brussels across two engrossing days of athletics to punctuate the season following a sensational Paris Olympics.
Except the American will not technically be involved in the Diamond League final. That’s because McLaughlin-Levrone has not appeared in the world’s premier track meet all season – she does not qualify for the finale itself, according to the rules, which stipulate she needed to compete in one meet prior to this week.
Instead, the 25-year-old preserved herself throughout the year, bidding to peak in Paris and claim gold, as was her right. And her plan proved to be a masterstroke. Not only did she claim two golds, including the 4x400m relay, she dazzled in a way that elevated her above the event entirely. All while securing her place and becoming the face of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track.
You see, as great as Olympic bronze medalist Femke Bol is, McLaughlin-Levrone owns the 400m hurdles and has simply been competing against herself in recent years. The titanic showdown with Bol, built up for months by many before Paris, not only failed to materialise, but the chasm between the athletes made the discussion immaterial.
A sizzling time of 50.37 seconds, 1.5 seconds ahead of compatriot Anna Cockrell and 1.78 seconds clear of Bol, reimagined the potential to glide over the barriers at breathtaking speed. World Athletics president Lord Seb Coe even floated the idea of raising their height of the hurdles to provide a sterner test of McLaughlin-Levrone, who by now is well-established as an outlier in this era. Her performance at the Stade de France would see her fall just two tenths of a second shy of qualifying for the final of the flat 400m.
So her stardom has forced organisers to reevaluate the rules, desperate to include her in the final and further legitimise the event.
Except, McLaughlin-Levrone will not race her preferred event, instead it appears she is beginning to experiment and transition towards another challenge, to further cement her athletic legacy.
Her first exhibition sees her run in the 400m flat on Friday, then the 200m on Saturday. But McLaughlin-Levrone will once again be racing against herself, it seems, with Friday’s best opponent, on paper at least, Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams, who holds a season’s best 1.25 seconds slower than the American’s season’s best of 48.75 seconds. That event takes place 11 minutes before the actual Diamond League final, starring Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino. A mouthwatering prospect that will have to wait for 2025 at least.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in action at the Paris Olympics (AP)
While Saturday’s 200m, 24 minutes before Sha’Carri Richardson and Daryll Neita compete in the 200m final, pits McLaughlin-Levrone against the likes of Slovenia’s Maja Mihalinec Zidar and Belgium’s Rani Rosius, both more than seven tenths of a second slower than the American’s best of 22.07 seconds.
“I went to Greece with my husband to relax for a week,” said McLaughlin-Levrone. “It was necessary after those fantastic Olympics, which I worked towards for so long.
“I feel enormously grateful for what I was able to experience in Paris. After that, we returned to Los Angeles. But because I still feel physically and mentally fresh, I wanted to run one more meeting to finish the season.”
Cole Hocker, Josh Kerr and Yared Nuguse have signed up for Grand Slam Track (Getty Images)
The two-day meet in the Belgian capital has provided a glimpse of the sport’s future, something already experienced in other sports, such as golf, with the world’s best players, operating as ‘independent contractors’, now divided outside of the four majors for more than two years.
While McLaughlin-Levrone is a welcome addition, in any capacity, this weekend, the conspicuous absence of Grant Holloway, the Olympic 110m hurdles champion, and Josh Kerr, the 1,500m world champion, point to the increasingly-likely prospect of a divided sport in the coming years.
Holloway said on Wednesday: “I will not be participating in the Brussels Diamond League Final due to a failure to reach agreements on the terms of my participation between my team and the meeting directors of the Diamond League. Shame that they doing athletes like that #NeverCompeteForLess.”
Kerr, meanwhile, will have his feet up, having already called time on his season after opting to race the 5th Avenue Mile in New York, where he shattered a 43-year record in a quite stunning 3mins 44.3secs. The allure of the Big Apple, closer to his home in New Mexico, and a sizeable appearance fee was enough for the Briton to snub racing rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen once more in Zurich and Brussels.
Gold medalist Grant Holloway celebrates at Paris 2024 (Getty Images)
All of which is to say the sport might be heavily reliant on Olympic legend Johnson’s new, compelling way. The American believes he can compensate athletes and deliver their “true worth” with Grand Slam Track, with a promise of $12.6m (£9.6m) in prize money next year. Yet its success may depend on every event delivering a near-complete field.
Kerr has signed up with the entire 1,500m Olympic podium, gold medalist Cole Hocker and bronze medalist Yared Nuguse. Yet without Ingebrigtsen, each race will feel incomplete to many, no matter how regularly we see these stars meet head-to-head outside of the major meets. The Diamond League, too, will be forced to respond with increased prize money, forcing many athletes to pick and choose.
So get ready for two days of engrossing athletics in Brussels across many disciplines, but who you see, and crucially who you do not see, point to the sport’s revolution in 2025 and beyond.
The Miami Dolphins have made an important decision regarding running back De’Von Achane suiting up for the team’s Week 2 showdown against divisional rivals, the Buffalo Bills.
Achane appeared on the injury report earlier this week much to the dismay of fans. Even worse: fellow running back Raheem Mostert also made his way onto the injury report, and was subsequently ruled out. Losing both Mostert and Achane would have been devastating for the rushing attack for the team.
Achane was not ruled out despite suffering an ankle injury. He was listed as questionable throughout the week, but has now been given an official active status.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel initially indicated that Achane would be a game-time decision, but it appears the speedy running back was able to work his way back to lead the rushing attack.
With Mostert out, Achane will assume RB1 duties and will be backed by Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: De’Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium on September 08, 2024 in… MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: De’Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Dolphins set De’Von Achane as active for Week 2.
Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Achane and Mostert became one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 season. Both paired to create a dynamic one-two punch for the Dolphins’ ground game. That same dynamic playmaking was showcased during Sunday’s victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars but in a different way.
Mostert was hurt early on in the game, resulting in his only securing nine rushing yards. Achane would step in and add 24 yards of his own and a touchdown, but the team was led by Jeff Wilson Jr., who secured 26 yards on five carries.
Instead of Achane being used primarily in the run game, he was shifted to a more dual-threat role and was amazing in the pass-catching attack for the Dolphins. Achane ended Sunday’s contest with 76 yards.
The Dolphins had planned to transform Achane into a more pass-catching and running back weapon akin to San Francisco 49ers’ receiver Deebo Samuel and running back Christian McCaffrey. If Sunday was any indication of that success, Achane could become an even bigger weapon for Miami’s offense.
Considering Mostert is out for Thursday’s clash with the Bills, the game plan might now be more of a traditional running back role for Achane. Still, Wilson showcased some great runs on Sunday and might help allow the Dolphins to use Achane as the dual-threat weapon he was during Week 1.
The Dolphins will have a tough task ahead of them to take down the Bills, who have won 10 of their last 11 head-to-head matchups with Miami. If the Dolphins’ defense can hold Josh Allen and the offense down, Achane, Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle could boost the team to a 2-0 start.
Younger sibling of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who died on Thursday due to multiple organ failure after being doused with petrol and set aflame at her house in Kinyoro, Trans Nzoia County, has given harrowing details of how the late marathoner’s ex-boyfriend blurred her vision by first pouring petrol on her face, then threatened to slash with a machete anyone who dared to intervene.
Cheptegei, 33, died on Thursday at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she was undergoing treatment after being allegedly doused with petrol at her house in Trans Nzoia on August 1 by her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema Marangach.
She died of multi-organ failure after suffering 80 percent burns. Ndiema is also admitted at the same hospital after he suffered 30 percent burns when the incident happened.
Cheptegei’s younger sister, Dorcas Cherop, who is a Form Two Student at Nakame Secondary School in Trans Nzoia, has said that Ndiema poured petrol on her elder sister’s face, and the athlete cried out for help but when she came to her aid, her sister’s attacker threatened to slash her with a machete.
“It was a horrifying scene that I don’t want to remember. My sister was burning after she was doused with petrol, and no one came to her aid. When I dashed out with a blanket so as to cover up my sister and to extinguish the fire which was consuming her, Dickson kicked me, and I fell down. He threatened to slash me with a panga he was carrying,” 16-year-old Cherop, who stayed with Cheptegei, told Nation Sport yesterday in Kinyoro.
Cherop said she raised the alarm but her sister’s neighbours did not immediately respond but watched from a distance.
“When my sister was doused with petrol, she couldn’t see because the man first poured petrol on her face, blurring her vision. I didn’t know it until I saw her attempting to open the gate so as to escape. Her daughter was behind her, trying to put off fire that was burning her hair as we shouted for help,” a tearful Cherop said.
Cherop said neighbours helped to put out fire which had also started burning Ndiema’s clothes, afterwhich he poured more petrol on Cheptegei.
She said two good Samaritans rushed Cheptegei to Kitale County Referral Hospital, about 15km away from Kinyoro.
“It was a torturous journey for her. The whole of her body was aching, and we stopped many times on the way because she was not comfortable at all. She complained of pain in her stomach until we reached the hospital where she was taken in for treatment,” she said.
Everlyne Chelangat, another sister to Cheptegei, faulted local police, and Directorate of Criminal Investigations for failing to act swiftly to save her sister’s life because they were aware of what the athlete had been going through.
Chelangat also revealed that Cheptegei had complained to her that her ex-boyfriend at one time hid her travel documents at a time she was due to compete in a race abroad.
“Rebecca had asked the man to stay away from her and the kids after trouble started early this year. They used to stay together in Endebess, but my sister decided to go back home to Kinyoro, where she also trained,” she said.
Chelangat said that at one point, Ndiema ordered her to surrender her M-Pesa details and bank documents, something Cheptegei declined to do. She said Ndiema left her sister in protest and got married to another athlete.
“Ndiema went on to marry another woman and brought her to Rebecca’s house when she was away. He claimed that it was his home. My father reported the matter to the police because he saw it as a threat to the children’s safety. Ndiema was arrested the next day, but was released after two days,” she added.
“He also claimed that the piece of land on which Rebecca’s house stood belonged to him, and he wanted her to vacate the place. This time, Rebecca and my father reported the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation officers based in Kitale.”
Cheptegei competed for Uganda in women’s marathon on August 11 at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and finished 44th in two hours and 32.14 minutes.
She also competed in the marathon at the 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest, finishing 14th in 2:29.34.
She held Ugandan national record in women’s marathon of 2:22:47. The soft-spoken marathoner, who was an officer in Uganda People’s Defence Force, was due to represent her country at the 2025 World Military Games in Switzerland from March 23-30 next year.
On Sunday, Sabaot elders from Trans Nzoia County said Cheptegei’s death was a big blow to the community both in Kenya and Uganda, and urged the Kenyan government to ensure the family gets justice.
The elders asked Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki to ensure safety of athletes is guaranteed, adding that cases of death of athletes was worrying.
The athlete’s family has said that her remains will be interred on Saturday at the family home in Kapkoros, Bukwo District in eastern Uganda.
Because Cheptegei was an officer in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, the Ugandan government will take full charge of the funeral programme.
